34. Chapter 34
thirty-four
KADE
On the observation deck, I touch base with the bartender to make sure everything is running smoothly. Once I’m happy all is well, I stand by the railing looking down onto the dance floor.
She is my heartbeat.
A moment later, I get a buzz in my earpiece from front door security telling me Jude Barlowe is trying to get into the club to see me.
I tell him to send him up to my office, and I wait for him. What the hell is he doing here?
Soon, he barges into the room. From the stern look on his face, this isn’t going to be a ‘let’s work things out so we can be a happy family’ kind of talk.
“Mr. Barlowe, it’s good to see you.” I stick out my hand for a handshake.
He looks at my hand like it’s a snake ready to strike. At first, I think he isn’t going to take it, but a second later, he gives it a quick shake.
His gaze travels over me. Not masking that he’s taking me in, and by the pinched expression of his face, not liking what he sees.
Next, he scans the room. Not yet speaking to me, he walks over to the screens, bending slightly toward them to get a closer look.
Is he here to check out what kind of business I run?
He’s not going to find a holy space where people unite, hold hands in a circle and listen to clean music.
If he looks at the top left screen, he’ll see a couple on the edge of the dance floor near the bar.
They aren’t holding hands, but their hands are definitely doing something.
“This is all very indecent. What have you done to my daughter to convince her this is what she wants? That you’re who she wants?”
I’ve let her make up her own mind.
“I haven’t done anything. In fact, I tried pushing her away from all this. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. I knew her upbringing was sheltered. Yet, she kept coming back. This is what she wanted. And I’m who she wants.”
He shakes his head. “This isn’t the life for Daisy. It’s just a phase.”
“This isn’t a phase. This is the life she’s chosen. She would’ve had it sooner if she hadn’t been lied to.”
His eyes narrow. “So, she told you about her mother’s diary, did she? Her mother wrote about silly fantasies. She knew the church was her true calling.”
“Pastor Barlowe, you’ll have a better relationship with Daisy if you let her live her life the way she wants to.”
He frowns. “Who are you to tell me about my relationship with Daisy? You’ve known her for five minutes.” He waves an arm out. “This won’t last. The excitement will tarnish, and she’ll get tired of it.”
My fists clench and unclench by my side. I’m trying really hard, for Daisy’s sake, not to throw him out onto the street. “That’s not going to happen. We love each other.”
Scoffing, he shakes a finger at me. “If you really love my daughter, you’ll let her go.”
“I do love her. But I won’t let her go.”
“You’ll only hurt her. A man like you doesn’t belong with Daisy.”
I take a deep breath and try my best to stay calm. This is Daisy’s father; I don’t want to cause more trouble than I already am. Although, I’m getting tired of the insults. A day ago, I would’ve believed him. Now I know better. “I won’t hurt her. But you have. By lying.”
His jaw clenches. “It was for her own good.”
“How is lying to your daughter for her own good? She was trapped. Miserable. All because she felt obligated to follow in her mother’s footsteps.”
“I kept her away from places and people that are unsuitable.”
“Well, she ended up in my club and with me anyway.”
“Not for long. She’ll come to her senses soon enough.”
“If you want a relationship with Daisy, you need to accept her choices. Otherwise, you’re going to miss out on knowing the amazing woman she really is.”
“How dare you insinuate that I don’t know my daughter. This version you created in this sinful place is not Daisy.”
I blow out a heavy breath. There’s no way of getting through to him. He is set in his ways, and nothing I can say will change his mind.
Just then, Lincoln and Asher come racing into the office, with a look of fear on their faces.
My heart seizes. “What’s happened?”
“We had a call from security at our apartment building,” Asher bursts out.
Asher and Lincoln look at each other, like neither one knows who should speak.
“Spit it out.” I want to shake them for keeping me waiting.
“Bruce has taken Daisy,” Asher says.
And with those few words, the blood drains from my body, and my world crashes around my feet.